LAPD officer charged with assaulting arrested woman, who later died

Story highlights

Woman's family thinks officer is to blame, urges more action, spokesman says

Prosecutor: Video shows Alesia Thomas being kicked by officer, pushed in the throat

That officer is charged with assault; if convicted, she could face three years in prison

The accused police officer is "devastated" by the charge, her lawyer says

A Los Angeles police officer has been charged with assaulting a woman under arrest, Alesia Thomas, who lost consciousness in a patrol car and was declared dead soon thereafter, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Mary O'Callaghan, 48, was charged a day earlier in a felony assault case, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

The prosecutor's office said it will request $35,000 bail for the officer who, if convicted, could spend three years in state prison.

Tyler Izen, president of the Los Angeles police union,in a statement said "the alleged actions of the officer are incongruous with her reputation as an officer who was known to be diligent, courteous and ethical." O'Callaghan's lawyer Robert Rico describes his client, an 18-year veteran of the department, as "devastated."

"As an officer, a Marine and a mother, she's used to fighting and defending others," Rico said. "And she will fight and defend herself in a court of law to prove her innocence."

The charge stems from an incident July 22, 2012, when police investigating a possible child abandonment went to Thomas' home.